Piano-bridle-strap fastener



Sept. 18, 1928. 1,685,001

T. J. MALCOLM PIANO BRIDLE STRAP FASTENER Filed March 21, 1925 WTTORNEY'Patented Sept. 18, 1928.

UNITED STATES THOMAS JEFFERSON MALCOLM, OF NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI.

PIANO-BRIDL'E-STRAP FASTENER. a

Application filed March 21, 1925. Serial No. 17,297.

This invention relates to a piano bridle strap fastener.

In upright piano actions the bridle strap connecting the hammer butt orcheck with the bridle wire is frequently broken and in certain types ofpiano actions it is an extremely tedious and difficult operation toreplace the broken strap, owing to its inaccessi bility and to theimpractical type of fastener employed. It is, therefore, the object ofthe present invention to provide an extremely simple and practicalfastener for the terminal of the bridle strap which is connected to acon veniently accessible part of the hammer check and further toprovide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a piano bridle strapfastener as an improvement upon the form of piano bridle strap fasteneras disclosed in Letters Patent #l,8 l3,516, granted to me June 15, 1920,and such improvement resides primarily in the manner of positioning thestrap fas tener element relative to the strap, whereby such element willcoact with the wall of the opening in the hammer check to connect thestrap to the check.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a piano bridle strapfastener, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, which is simple in itsconstruction and arrangement, strong, durable, thoroughly eflicient inits use, and conveniently applied in operative position, and inexpensiveto manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists ofthe novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, ashereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention,but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modificationscan be resorted to which come within the scope of the claims hereuntoappended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote correspondingparts throughout the several views Figure 1 is a side elevation of apiano action, showing the adaptation therewith of a piano bridle strapfastener, in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view, in front elevation, of a hammer check,showing the adaptation therewith of a strap fastener, in accordance withthis invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a piano bridle strap and fastenertherefor, in accordance with this invention.

Figure f is a fragmentary view, in vertical section, illustrating theadaptation of astrap and its fastener with respectto a hammer check.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and

particularly to 1 igure 1, there is illustrated a conventional type ofpiano action, the numeral 8 indicates the usual action rail pivotallysupporting one of a series of butts 9 carrying the shaft 10 to which thehammer 11 is attached. The recessed projection 12, at the rear of thehammer butt, is engaged by the usual buttspring' 13 and the hammer check14,- is attached to the butt 9 by the reduced shank 15 and is movableagainst the back check 16 during the return movement of the hammer 11.The bridle strap 17 is attached at one terminal to the check 14: and atits opposite end to the bridle wire 18 and in certain types of pianoactions the strap is usually permanently attached by glue between thejoints of the butt 9 and the shank 15 and is extended through anaperture 19 formed in the check 14.

The present invention provides an improved detachable fastener for theterminal of the bridlestrap 17 and a comprehensive utilization of theopening 19 in the hammer check for the reception of the detachablefastener for one terminal of the bridle strap 17.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, where is shown one form of animproved piano bridle strap fastener, in accordance with this invention,the fastener consists of a compressible plug 20 formed from a singlelength of material and of tapered contour. The plug 20 is constructed ofcork or similar material having the equivalent compressible and adhesivequalities of cork. Secured to the periphery of the plug 90 is the rearterminal portion 21 of the strap 17. Preferably the rear end edge of thestrap 17 is flush with the edge at the reduced end of the plug 20. Theend terminal port-ion 21 of the strap 17 is secured, in any suitablemanner to the plug 20, preferably by a. suitable adhesive, and said endterminal portion 20 when secured to the plug conforms to the curvaturethereof.

When the strap 17 is connected up, the compressible plug" is insertedthrough the opening 19 and said plug acts in connection with the wall ofthe opening 19 to detachably clamp the strap 17 to the check 14,-. Theplug 20 is of a length to project rearwardly and forwardly of the check14 when the plug is mounted in the opening 19 and the Wall of the latteris slightly tapered so a Wedging action will be set up between said Walland the compressible plug 20.

In the form shown, the end terminal portion or the strap is secured tothe outer face of the fastener and if the strap breaks the secured endcan be disconnected from the tastener and the latter again used for astrap.

It is thought that the many advantages of a piano bridle strap fastener,in accordance with this invention, can be readily understood, andalthough the preferred embodiment oi the invention is as illustrated andde scribed, yet it is to be understood that changes in the details ofconstruction can be had which will fall within the scope of theinvention as claimed What I claim is The combination with the hammercheck of a piano action, said check formed with an opening having itsWall tapered from end to end, of a removable bridle strap having itsrear terminal portion extending through and projecting from saidopening, said strap having a part of its rear terminal portion seatingdirectly upon the lower portion of the Wall of said opening, and atapered, onepiece, solid, compressible plug extending through andprojecting forwardly and rear- Wardly of said opening, and having thelower part of its periphery secured to the upper ace of said rearterminal portion, said rear terminal portion having its free end flushwith the reduced end of said plug, and said plug Wedging the rearterminal portion of said strap against the lower portion of the Wall ofsaid opening and further \vedging against the remaining part of the wallof said opening whereby the strap will be secured to the check.

in testimony whereof, I atiix my signature hereto.

THOMAS JEFFERSON MALCOLM.

